Ashleigh Gentle wins ITU grand final

Ashleigh Gentle wins ITU grand final

Jake Birtwhistle finished third in the World Triathlon Series standings.Source:Supplied

TASMANIA’S Jake Birtwhistle has become the first Australian man since 2010 to finish on the World Triathlon Series podium after hanging on grimly to third place despite falling off the pace in the grand final on the Gold Coast.

Mario Mola won his third consecutive series despite Frenchman Vincent Louis winning Sunday’s race after making a decisive move on the last lap of the run to push ahead of Mola and South Africa’s Richard Murray.

Birtwhistle, who entered the grand final on the Gold Coast in second place overall, finished seventh on Sunday after falling off the pace about 4km into the final run leg.

“Obviously I didn’t quite have the legs today on the run which is a little bit disappointing,” Birtwhistle said.

Jake Birtwhistle finished third in the World Triathlon Series standings.Source:Supplied

“But I guess coming into today, the No.1 goal was to remain on that podium for the series and I kept fighting for every position I could and I thankfully was able to manage that.”

Louis’ win was enough for him to leapfrog Birtwhistle in the overall standings, with the Australian’s move to pass Jonathan Brownlee in the finishing straight allowing him to stave off Murray in the fight for third in the series.

Birtwhistle was in a position to take the series title if he had won Sunday’s race and Mola faded badly and he admitted he allowed the pressure of the situation to get to him in the lead-up to the race.

“Today I felt great but for the last couple of weeks it’s been building and building and the pressure was on from myself and it certainly was starting to get to me a bit,” he said.

“But I woke up (on Sunday) and it’s just another race, isn’t it.

“Going into the final stages I was feeling great and really looking forward to having a great race and thankfully I was able to just do enough.”

Birtwhistle is the first Aussie man since Brad Kahlefeldt in 2010 (third) to finish on the series podium.

And the Commonwealth Games silver medallist hopes this year’s effort is just a step in his “three-year plan” ahead of the 2020 Olympics.

“Commonwealth Games this year was the No.1 goal and to jump on the (WTS) podium is a massive bonus and hopefully next year I’ll be fighting for gold, not bronze.”

Mario Mola won his third consecutive title. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

After exiting the water within 30 seconds of the fastest swimmers, Birtwhistle was in a strong position almost immediately in the main chase pack on the bike with Mola.

He worked hard to head into the run in a strong position but the former Australian junior cross country representative was disappointed not to have the legs to stay with training partners Mola and Louis for more than 4km of the run.

While he conceded the grand final to Louis, Mola – who won the junior world title on the Gold Coast in 2009 - was thrilled with his third title.

“There are many, many feelings, it’s been a great season and I’m very happy with how things went,” Mola said.

Vincent Luis took out the Gold Coast event. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Mola became only the second person after countryman Javier Gomez to win three consecutive titles.

“Javi has been an inspiration for me in my career, he’s definitely set the path for all the athletes and particularly the Spanish athletes.

“I could never imagine having three titles and it’s sitting very well.”